Blue Lock Animator Discusses Concerns Regarding Poor Animation Quality in Season 2

Critiques Surrounding Blue Lock Season 2 Animation

Blue Lock, a popular manga series and its anime adaptation, is facing significant backlash regarding the quality of animation in its second season. Animator Martin Reyes has responded to the myriad complaints regarding the show’s visual execution, shedding light on the challenges behind the scenes.

Adapting Complex Story Arcs

The ongoing second season of Blue Lock covers Chapters 109-151, steering the narrative through the intense Blue Lock vs. Japan U-20 match while wrapping up the Third Selection Arc from the prior season. After a year-long hiatus, many fans anticipated a superior visual experience, only to find themselves disappointed.

Inconsistency in Animation Quality

While the manga continues to gain immense popularity, viewers are puzzled by the anime’s uneven animation quality. Some scenes are visually impressive, yet a significant number appear static and lack fluidity. This inconsistency has drawn ire from fans and critics alike.

Behind the Scenes: Insights from Animator Martin Reyes

Martin Reyes, who contributed to Episode 2, revealed some troubling insights into the production process at Studio 8bit. In his comments, he labeled the animation quality as a “disaster,”noting that the studio made significant cuts to the originally intended movement in key scenes, profoundly affecting the final product.

“… the animation of blue lock 2 will not be saved if it remains in that studio.” pic.twitter.com/nSVEDQg93k

— Arnold⚔Ackerman #WeWantN.GonzalezcomoAsa (@elbartman96) October 21, 2024

Challenges Faced by Animators

In a Reddit translation of Reyes’ TikTok revelations, he elaborated on the difficulties encountered while creating Episode 2 of Blue Lock. He initially handled 20 cuts for the episode, animating scenes from scratch; however, he soon noticed the core issues that would hinder the overall quality. Despite dedicating significant effort, he and his fellow animators ultimately had little control over the final outcome due to the studio’s management decisions and tight deadlines.

The Broader Implications for the Anime Industry

Reyes pointed to systemic issues within the anime production industry, citing a focus on profitability at the expense of quality and animator well-being. He expressed discontent with the end result, stating that he did not feel proud of the animation he contributed to and opted not to work on further episodes after Episode 2.

Looking Ahead

Currently, Blue Lock Season 2 is slated to consist of 14 episodes, with only four released as of November 1, 2024. Given the ongoing animation challenges, it appears unlikely that the visuals will improve in the course of the season. Fans are encouraged to explore additional content, like Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Oshi no Ko Season 3, and One Punch Man Season 3, for more engaging anime experiences.

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